How To Deal With Copycats in The Photography Business

     Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
There is a thin line between imitation and copy and some may even say they are the same.
I feel imitation in photography is when someone takes a photo and edits it with a style similar to yours but not exactly the same. Copy is when someone takes a photo with the same exact photo with the same pose, editing style, location, and sometimes even the same person! As a photographer just thinking about when someone is a "copycat" it can make you just cringe! But I'm not here to talk about what the definition of imitation and copycat are I'm here to tell you how to deal with copycats, so here we go!

Identify a copycat. You don’t want to just plain out accuse someone of being a copycat. The first thing you need to do is think about their actions and the situation in order to properly identify if this person is really a copycat. Consider the following:

• Does this "photographer" do the same things as you?
• Has this "photographer" taken photos similar or exactly like yours?
• Has this "photographer" ever taken photos of the same people as you at the same locations?
• Has this "photographer" ever stolen your ideas and tried to pass them off as their own?
• Does this "photographer" edit photos exactly like you, have a business name similar to yours, or have a logo almost identical to yours etc.?

Copycats can not only be annoying but in some forms it can be illegal. For example if someone takes a photo from your website and tries to sell it as their own that is illegal because it is stealing. I know you say why the heck would someone take one of my photos right? It happens more than you think because some people think by stealing a photo and using it as their own it will grow their following or popularity. Why the heck would someone want to take the credit for someone else's work right? Most photographers like taking their own photos and putting in the hard work because when that photo becomes popular the feeling of accomplishment is so much more rewarding! I don't see how people can take credit for someone else's work and feel accomplished because they did nothing to earn it!

(Something To Remember!) One sign you’re doing something right is when people start swiping and imitating. Because Someone is only going to take your ideas if they worth taking!

Now its time to get down to business and tell you all how to deal with the Copycat!


1. Protect Your Work and Ideas (Copyright)
      While it’s smart to develop relationships with copyright specialists and lawyers as your photography work and business grows, you have to be careful about how you go about protecting your work. Because in the end, the copycats and idea thieves will win if you don't take the proper channels to protect your photography work!

1. Watermark Your Images.  Add the copyright symbol and your name to every  image of your work that is online.  You can also include copyright on your website letting site visitors know that none of your content may be used without your permission and that there are consequences for ignoring your request.
2. Google Yourself.  Just a quick internet search can give you a lot of answers and if you see that people are using your images and work to help them grow their business/services. Try reaching out to the copycats and offered them two choices: 1st. use license/Give credit where it is due or 2nd. Take it down.
3. Google Your Images (Every few months or at least once a year). You can do this if you use a  Mac, drag the image from your site into the search box at http://images.google.com/.  a quick Google search for your image can show all the websites etc. where your images are being used.
4. Get a Lawyer.  If you are 100% positive you are being ripped off, contact your (a) lawyer for advice and to take other measures to fix the problem.
5. Don't Stop Creating and Posting Images. If you quit creating the copycats have won. That is what they ultimately want so they can take your business. It takes courage to be creative You are the one doing the work and putting yourself out there. They are copying you because you are doing something right and people are noticing you and that's why they try and steal what you have because they want what you have. For example the popularity but honestly as much as they want to be you it is physically impossible because there is only one you and that's the way it will always be!

So get on out there and do your thing! create, prosper, and love every second of it!

I hope this has helped someone dealing with a copycat problem! Because if this has helped just one person I have reached my goal!

    

Professionalism In Photography

                                                        Professionalism In Photography

        Professionalism, an act every one knows but not everyone uses!

When you own a business it is very important to be as professional as possible. Professionalism is

imperative to gain business and make your clients want to return to your business again in the future!

        Here is the story that brought me to write this blog post. I was checking my personal Instagram and was getting ready to check my photography business Instagram like I usually do. Before I left my personal Instagram I decided to click down there on the little magnifying glass to see the most recent posted stuff and stuff posted near me. I came across a photographer who uses his personal page to advertise for his photography business as well. Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that but I personally prefer to have two separate pages because it makes it easier to control. His page name was (I'm not going to state the actual name just give an example) "His first name - blank -  blank  Photography." I was like hey I will go check his page out, because I always love to check out fellow photographers pages and show them some love and kind words! After clicking on his page and scrolled for a second I instantly regretted it. I didn't regretted it because his work was bad because to be honest is was quite the opposite of bad it was AMAZING!!!! What made me regret clicking on his page was the way he posted profanity, and  vulgarity! One post was making fun of women's breast, another post had so many profane words I couldn't even count, and another post about yard sellers with a very inappropriate and hateful comment that I'm not even gonna begin to explain.


     Now to where professionalism comes in. For example say you have a person come up to you and they are interested in hiring you but they want to see your work first so you give them a link to your Instagram page because that is the only type of website you have for your photography. (Which I highly disagree on because you should always have a designated website for your photography business it is more professional and better for business. We will not get in to that because that is for a totally different blog post!) They go and look on there and see your Inappropriate and vulgar post's. There is a good chance they are not going to use you because of that. You have to be respectful and mindful of what people will think of each status you post. Once the word gets out about your posts it can really hurt your business because a post that could have easily been prevented by "thinking before you speak" post (if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all!)


    Always remember to be professional, respectful, polite, and think before you post and speak! I am going to wrap up this blog post here. My goal was to make this post hit in the right spot and get the point across with out this post being to long and boring to read. I wanted to make it just the right length so it was an interesting and intriguing to the reader! Thank you all for taking the time to read this post and I hope it was informational and helped anyone wanting to get in to posting on social media to advertise for their photography business!

Photographers Wedding Shoot Checklist

    Here are a few tips for those photographers who are new to the Wedding Photography business.
We will have suggestions on how to prepare and plan for your photoshoot on your clients big day.
When beginning the process remember to ask lots of questions pertaining to the event and what you clients expect to get from you, and remember a happy client means a job well done!

 We all know the key and most of the time the most important shots every photographer is looking for (or should be looking for) in a wedding shoot are (1) The kiss (2) The exchange of rings, but remember to ask the clients what specific shots they are wanting so you capture just what they are looking for. Different clients have different ideas, for example one client might want a group photo of everyone attending the wedding. Other clients might want a photo of certain people together in different photos.

 Each job is different and that's what excites most photographers. Photographers are always looking for new challenges!

 Now down to business or the more in depth business I should say.
For the client its all about location! location! location! So make sure you are ready and fully up to date with the ins and outs of your location. Professional photographers always say "When in doubt, scope it out!" Know where everything is and where you would like to get certain shots at. When starting a session start at the least favorite spot and work up to your most favorite. The reason for starting a your least favorite is because the longer you shoot you will warm up and get better images so when you reach you favorite spot you will get that perfect image, AKA the "Money Shot!"

  Now to the most important part "Equipment" all parts are very important but the reason this one is on top is because no equipment means not shoot or images that are not usable. (Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it)

Checklist time here we go!

1- Camera
2- Back up camera
3- Lenses
4- Back up Lenses (optional but a great idea)
5- Flashes
6- Filters (Filters are your friend and can work wonders)
7-Extra batteries for everything!!!! (including camera that's pretty important)
8-Memory cards (Depending on card size and how many photos you will be taking)
9-Tripod X2 (Just incase one breaks a leg... Pun intended)

  There are so many more items of equipment you could need depending on your shoot so it would be impossible to list them all. I have listed some of the most important. I hope this blog helps all the new photographers out there. Remember only you can set a limit on your goals and you can do and succeed in anything you put hard work and your mind to!

Just ordered a BUNCH of new photography equipment!! I am super excided like a kid on Christmas eve waiting on Santa to arrive!! LOL

Just found out that one of my photos won 11 awards!!!!!!!
The awards include,
*Staff Winter Selection 2015

*Superb Composition (several times)
*Outstanding Creativity (several times)
*Top 20 Class Week 1
*Top 30 Class Week 1
*Top 30 Class (2 more times)
I also received several peer Awards!!! I am pretty excited and proud! Thank you to everyone who supports and follows my photography you guys rock and this could not have been possible with out you all!

Sweetheart Session Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek of the Sweetheart Session from yesterday.

Photographers Guide for a Photo Shoot in the Rain

 So you want to have a photoshoot in the rain? Do you have everything you need, and are you fully prepared to take on this amazing yet slightly difficult task?


 Having a photoshoot in the rain can be really awesome and you can get some amazing and beautiful shots. First things first we must be prepared, is your camera waterproof? If not you will need a plastic waterproof camera cover or if you want to keep it simple use a zip lock bag. (Put your camera in the zip lock bag and cut a hole just large enough for the end of the lens to clear the bag so it does not affect the shot, and your set.) Do you have a tent or something to cover the rest of you essential gear that you will need in the field? These are some of the most important things to be prepared for when shooting in the rain.


Now we are not done just quite yet. Did you and your customers bring a change of cloths? That's gonna be another very important thing you must consider. Will your clients be willing to get the clothes they have wet and dirty? If not instruct them to have clothes that they don't mind to get dirty and wet, but make sure they are nice looking clothes because if the customers don't look the part that can ruin the whole experience for you both.

 Now these are some of the most important tips and needs when having a photo shoot in the rain.
There will defiantly be more and that all depends on what you have planned for the photo shoot etc.
well that's all for todays blog Simple Life Photography fans. Remember to keep love in your heart and a smile on you face because that is the best recipe for making someone's day!